“Very well then, I shall concede a step and lower the target to Blood Soul Manor. However, compared to the Supreme Expert Jue Jue Tian of Jade Extinction, Blood Soul Manor is clearly a tier lower. This deal seems to put me at a significant disadvantage. Can we perhaps revisit the terms we initially set?” Jun Moxie frowned, looking as though he might go back on his word, clearly intending to haggle.

“Big Brother, you cannot go back on your promise! Blood Soul Manor is still one of the continent’s two major powers! You must not be greedy! This kind of leverage is only available because we are brothers! Anyone else would be left with nothing but regrets.”

Xiong Kaishan hastily explained, “Do you think dealing with Blood Soul Manor is easy? Firstly, we cannot destroy Blood Soul Manor outright, lest Supreme Expert Jue Tian become enraged. Secondly, we still have to meet your demands to ensure they suffer. How can this be simple? You have no idea how many brothers we will need to mobilize to accomplish this.”

“Old Min is right this time,” He Chongxiao stated solemnly. “The reason Blood Soul Manor is slightly weaker than the equally renowned Frosty Snow Silver City is that Li Jue Tian is away for long stretches, while Han Fengxue is inseparable from Silver City. Based on this alone, in truth, if you discount the influence of those two Supreme Experts, Blood Soul Manor and Frosty Snow Silver City are absolutely equals, not the least bit inferior.”

“Since that is the case, so be it.” Jun Moxie’s brows knitted tightly, displaying profound unwillingness. “However, since I’ve taken a slight loss, I demand one additional condition. You must fulfill this, or the entire transaction is off!”

“Please state it. As long as it doesn’t involve killing Li Jue Tian or utterly destroying Blood Soul Manor, we can manage anything else!” Seeing Jun Moxie’s tone soften, Xiong Kaishan eagerly made a promise.

“I hear Li Jue Tian has a son, seemingly named Li Tengyun. This brat is even more detestable than Li Jue Tian! This person must be properly taught a lesson; if the opportunity arises, feel free to kill him!” Jun Moxie smiled sinisterly. “Of course, emasculating him would also suffice.”

“That is absolutely impossible! Damn it!” both men exclaimed simultaneously. “This boy is the sole sprout Li Jue Tian managed to father after reaching eighty. If we truly kill or castrate him, it means Li Jue Tian will be cut off from his lineage; Li Jue Tian and our Heavenly Punishment Forest would then be locked in an eternal, unending blood feud. We cannot bear such consequences!”

“This won’t do, that won’t do—what are we even negotiating then?” Jun Moxie seemed to be growing impatient. “Besides, since Li Jue Tian could father a child at eighty, and he’s only a little over a hundred now, he can certainly father another. Why are you in such a rush?!”

“The fact that he fathered one at eighty already made him a laughingstock across the world. If he fathers another past a hundred, Old Li might drown in spit,” Xiong Kaitian shook his massive head, a look of longing in his eyes.

He Chongxiao, however, answered seriously: “Your request is truly excessive. This demand is tantamount to destroying Blood Soul Manor; we absolutely cannot agree! How about this: since your primary goal is only to teach a lesson, I can personally administer a severe beating to Li Tengyun on your behalf, ensuring he cannot get out of bed for a year or so. Would that suffice?”

He Chongxiao pondered for a moment before proposing a compromise, adding, “If you insist on killing Li Tengyun as a condition for the trade, we would rather abandon the entire deal.”

“The Eight Supreme Experts might have personal grudges normally, but when facing us, they are invariably united. Except for Yun Biechen, who is rarely seen, the remaining seven, no matter how deep their hatred, will temporarily cooperate if it involves a conflict with us. Therefore, even agreeing to deal with Blood Soul Manor is our limit. With your magnanimity and grand bearing, you should understand our predicament!”

“Fine! I will yield one more step. If you can guarantee that Blood Soul Manor is thrown into chaos, and you break Li Tengyun’s legs so he can’t walk for a year, then we can finalize this transaction!” Jun Moxie, seeing his opening, pressed further.

He Chongxiao and Xiong Kaishan conferred briefly, then finally spoke, “Done! That is the deal, it’s settled!”

“Settled!” Jun Moxie smiled and extended a hand. “Let’s seal it with a clasp! No backing out.”

“Slap!” Their palms met, and both displayed a smile of achievement.

He Chongxiao and Xiong Kaitian were thrilled. To exchange such a task for a chance at advancement seemed incredibly worthwhile. It was just Blood Soul Manor, after all, and it didn't require total annihilation, nor did it require confronting Li Jue Tian head-on. It would take some effort, but that was all. Compared to the benefits they were about to receive, this was truly a massive bargain.

Recalling the glory of advancement and the long, leisurely, free years that would follow, both felt a sense of longing. If they could advance successfully, united with their boss's power, what would they fear from the Eight Supreme Experts? It would be a joke!

Jun Moxie was even more excited. By using only a negligible fraction of the massive spiritual energy flow from the Grandmist Pagoda, he secured an unexpectedly huge result, almost instantly resolving all the problems stemming from Guan Qinghan and buying himself at least a year’s time. This was an incredible bargain.

“This must be completed within a month starting today, how about it?” Jun Moxie pressed, perhaps a bit too eagerly; his divine sense was being pushed to its limit, close to exposure.

“Absolutely no problem!” He Chongxiao and Xiong Kaishan agreed just as hastily, then glanced at each other and laughed heartily. A month to accomplish this task was far too generous. Two Supreme Experts jointly dealing with Blood Soul Manor while Li Jue Tian was away—did they really need a full month? They felt this underestimated them!

“Brother Feng, after you’re done, how do we contact you?” He Chongxiao finally raised this question, showing remarkable patience.

“You can go to the Jun Family in Tianxiang City and tell Third Master Jun Wuyi that Blood Soul Manor has canceled its northbound plans. Wait briefly, and I will meet with you immediately to fulfill my promise!” Jun Moxie vowed sincerely.

[The hidden thought]: This resolves the issues with Frosty Snow Silver City and Blood Soul Manor for now—only temporarily. After a month, I’ll discuss Frosty Snow Silver City with you. Since they’ve taken the bait, I’m not worried about them escaping. Heh heh heh. Young Master Jun inwardly gave a sly, wicked chuckle.

“Good. Let’s not delay, my brother and I will take our leave now.” He Chongxiao bowed and started to lead Xiong Kaishan away.

“Wait! There is one more thing I need to ask you two about.” Jun Moxie’s mind worked rapidly, and he called out, “May I inquire as to the purpose of the Ninth Rank Summit Profound Pill?”

Hearing this, the two stopped dead in their tracks. They turned and stared at him for a long moment, before Xiong Kaishan asked solemnly, “Why do you ask this? Could it be… you actually possess a Ninth Rank Summit Profound Pill?”

“Do you two think that with my abilities, I would need a Profound Pill? I merely asked since you were making such a fuss about it. If you don't wish to say, forget it. We’ll take our leave.”

Moxie was startled. It seemed these two cared deeply about this matter. He almost regretted asking.

“That is true. With the profound Heaven True Qi you possess, so pure… the Profound Pill would be utterly useless to you! Naturally, you wouldn't need a mere Profound Pill,” He Chongxiao said, his tone laced with genuine envy.

This mysterious expert before them not only possessed Heaven True Qi, but it was impeccably pure; his strength was unfathomably deep. Even compared to Yun Biechen, he likely wouldn't be inferior. What need would such a person have for a Ninth Rank Peak Profound Pill? He Chongxiao and Xiong Kaitian thought simultaneously, feeling a touch of shame for having judged him with the small-mindedness of common folk.

Realizing this, the two smiled with sudden understanding. “Actually, there’s no harm in telling you. The Profound Pills you humans call them, we have another name for them: Condensation Pills. They are the most miraculous things for us Xuan Beasts, the crystallization of our entire essence! But if ingested by a human, a single mistake in consumption could cause even a Divine Profound expert to explode and die. Before use, one must stabilize the energy with Celestial Star Grass, then use Three-Colored Lingzhi to divide it, supplement it with Nine Xuan Root, and have a Divine Profound master guide the Xuan Qi. Only then can one’s rank leap overnight. However, this is just theory. Not only are these three medicines legendary artifacts, but even securing a Divine Profound master for protection is exceedingly rare.”

He Chongxiao scoffed, “Who among humans is without selfish desires?”

“Well said. Heh heh, it is strange though, why people would fight and kill over something so troublesome? It truly perplexes me. What is the point?” Jun Moxie sighed lamentably. “Human greed is truly the most terrifying thing in the world.”

The two nodded in deep agreement, feeling that these words struck the core of their understanding. They sighed in unison. The three bowed to each other, and the two figures vanished from Jun Moxie’s sight like meteors chasing the moon, dissipating like wisps of green smoke. The two Kings of Heavenly Punishment were eager to execute their mission.

The heavy rain had stopped; dawn was approaching.

Jun Moxie let out a long breath, his tension easing, and promptly collapsed onto the muddy ground, feeling a sharp, piercing pain in his head.

Throughout this entire night, Jun Moxie’s spiritual power and vital energy had been almost completely depleted; he had been running on pure overdraft, desperately maintaining the façade. He had been terrified that if he lost connection with the Grandmist Pagoda, the two—He Chongxiao and Xiong Kaishan—would discover his true strength. It had been an agonizing ordeal.

But the reward for this night of hardship was beyond imagination!

Though it hadn’t unfolded exactly as he had originally planned, resolving the issues of the Ninth Rank Summit Profound Pill and Blood Soul Manor in one go was a massive gain for Jun Moxie.

With He Chongxiao and Xiong Kaishan causing chaos, after Li Tengyun is severely injured, he’ll likely be incapacitated for at least half a year. But in six months, Jun Moxie was extremely confident that the Jun Family’s overall strength would have improved substantially. By then, even if Blood Soul Manor attacked in full force, he wouldn't be as helpless as he was now!

In fact, Jun Moxie was starting to look forward to it.

If there were no opponents, how could he sharpen himself? Only under pressure could progress be made.

Once Jun Moxie felt his own wings were fully grown, even if Blood Soul Manor didn’t come calling, Jun Moxie himself would seek them out! To dare target a woman of the Jun Family—they truly possessed the audacity of a leopard! If he didn't cripple Li Tengyun’s manhood today, he wouldn't be able to swallow his anger!

Blood Soul Manor, Frosty Snow Silver City—you have been arrogant for too long! Generations rise to greatness, each dominating for a few centuries!

Young Master Jun gritted his teeth, hauled himself up from the ground, and began the painful yet joyful walk back home, dragging his utterly exhausted body.

(I have a move today. It will likely take the whole day. I was afraid of breaking the update streak, so I was writing until this very moment last night. Sweat. If I hadn’t promised three updates yesterday, it would have been better to save one update from yesterday for today, wouldn’t it? Regretting this! Bangs head against the wall!)

(Sweat. This is absolutely not me saying I’m tired. I didn’t say I was tired, did I? It’s just that my fingers are cramping a bit! Damn it!)

(But a promise made must be kept; a man’s word is like hardened tofu, a splash of saliva that creates a pit! Even if it doesn't create a pit, one must keep the commitment; don't you agree, hehehe…)

(Enough idle chatter, back to the main point; today is moving day, a housewarming celebration! Uh, I extend my weathered, fair little hand to everyone, asking for a few, a few dozen, or a few hundred monthly votes as gifts (a very serious note: I’m not greedy, a thousand or eight hundred is fine; don't give too many, or I’ll get mad at you all!))

(Please gently circulate your Xuan Qi, elegantly move your mouse, gracefully click on the "I vote for monthly votes" section, then calmly click once more, and finally press "Confirm" with flair. From then on, everyone will be debonair, noble, handsome, dashing, divinely beautiful, peerless maidens, surrounded by beauties, showered with handsome men, enjoying music and close confidants, accumulating wealth, and encountering romantic encounters unending. Wahahaha, wahahaha…)